It’s an uncomfortable conversation, akin to end-of-life planning and just as inevitable. At some point, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is going to retire.

Don’t panic. Nothing is imminent. No weepy news conference has been scheduled. Yet Rivers’ birth certificate is inalterable. He’s 37, and even if he intends to play a couple more seasons with the Chargers — as seems probable — Rivers is at the point in his career in which every drop-back is a bonus.

So the Chargers must prepare for life after Rivers and right now. The Chargers signed veteran Tyrod Taylor to a two-year contract Wednesday, but Taylor turns 30 in August and, at best, has a mixed record as an NFL starter. It’s difficult to think he will be Rivers’ long-term successor. Practice-squad third-stringer Cardale Jones clearly isn’t the answer either.

Sure, the Chargers can punt this decision to another day, another year, and it seems possible that, by signing Taylor this week,...